MPC Element starting to ship on 10/3/2013

I know the element is not popular on this forum. Got an email from Sweetwater, stating that they will start shipping pre orders on 10/3/2013.

It was my understanding that the element essentials is based on 1.5 correct? So maybe the main 1.5 is not to far off.

with all the hype surrounding the maschine studio, it seems that any new developments with the element are about as loud as a whisper or a rat pissing on cotton.

i think the 1.5 will drop soon. its nearing NAMM2014 and if for nothing else but the fact that NI dropped maschine2.0

It's just ridiculous that there has been no videos from akai on how this software and controller work....

Is this date of the software d/l too?

I guess these are coming out because of the pressure. I don't know why either are competing with each other but I got the feeling these are under developed.

I kinda feel bad for Akai, BUT what the hell have we been telling them since the Ren's announcement? Oh sure, they came in here, promising a new and improved company that LISTENS to their customers and even stated further development of the MPC5000 (which gave me hope they will improve the 500) not once but twice. I think their actions and decisions speak for themselves and the result of these products.

My only issue / concern is that it seems as though they are listening to folks that make beats like -> kick, snare, hi hat and a sample, all looped in a 2 bar sequence.

Nothing wrong with that style. Some people are nice with it. But it just seems like the software is geared toward them, and is contunuing to be enhanced for that style. Not toward productions with 24 tracks or more. Global mixer, virtual outs, etc (there are more, but I talk about these the most) are critical for productions that aren't simple boom bap beats.

And yes I agree about the MPC 5000 teasers. Was really hoping they would come through when they talked about it in the video.

I'm going to check out the element, but sitting tight for one more update of the flagship software to see if they deliver more virtual outs and a global mixer. Not sure I'll hang on much more after that if they don't.

This will be DOA. It didn't sell as the "FLY" and won't sell as the "ELEMENT". It was a total waste of dev man hours that could of been focused on the flagship unit.

Have to admit, I would have much rather seen more flagship improvements than Element. Even more so now that NI has released their latest product...

master-ceo wrote:This will be DOA. It didn't sell as the "FLY" and won't sell as the "ELEMENT". It was a total waste of dev man hours that could of been focused on the flagship unit.

honestly, I thought at first this would be a regular controller that had the bonus of coming with a light piece of software that it works well with. But I am wondering with all this **** gum flapping in regards to "controller mode" and things of that nature if you can use the damn element as a controller without the proprietary akai software running. For example... can I use it with hardware and not at all with a computer what so ever? Can I open it up new from the store and take the installation dvd and stick it right into my paper shredder... and use the controller with fl studio, reason, ableton, etc? (IE: to replace my mpd16 with a new slimmer controller with transport buttons and that doesn't take up extra desk real estate) ??

because, I have more hope for the pads on that then I do with the mpd18.. right? I am guessing they scrapped the pad sensor sheet system on these like they did on the ren. This may have been a good alternative to the mpd18 for a small as hell sized controller.


so essentially, if it works alone without akai software that I would never install in my computer... 150 might be a good price.

Not only that but you can't even compare the Element to the Mikro! Thats a shame.

there was already a thread about this...

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... =firefox-a

I wouldn't even break a promotional Element over a booty models ass...

Here's the irony of the Element...it was a dongle....til 1.5 rolled out.

Now it's not a dongle BUT there is no preset storage....SO that means that you MUST run the software inside the host or standalone to map the pads note arrangement. Something everybody does with a MIDI controller. That is why they are marketing it AS AN MPC. Which is a joke in and of itself.

So...it's STILL a dongle! Lmao

I should buy one of these just to throw it out the window while doing 90 on the highway. I'm dead serious

mr_debauch wrote: But I am wondering with all this **** gum flapping in regards to "controller mode" and things of that nature if you can use the damn element as a controller without the proprietary akai software running. For example... can I use it with hardware and not at all with a computer what so ever? Can I open it up new from the store and take the installation dvd and stick it right into my paper shredder... and use the controller with fl studio, reason, ableton, etc?

as i understand it - no.. in order to use the element OR the Ren OR the studio as a midi controller you must first open the software, then go to controller mode



maybe the element is different

This whole thing just seems SO conflicted. Seems they are caught in between multiple directions / strategies, all while trying to compete in the marketplace. Dongle, no dongle; DAW, no DAW... Element is for beginners, Element is for DAW users...

And if you have to open the software to use it in controller mode, what's the point of controller mode?

Don't envy Akai's position. Still hoping for good things though...